For the most part I am a friendly person. Sometimes I am looked at like an outgoing person but really I am more of an introvert that I am an extrovert…. I know, that is a shocker!

When I decided to blog, there was a little tug of war inside of me. I am a private person that really rather listen to others than to talk about myself and/or my experiences. So my blog pieces have started out with a lot of general information that had no real pieces of me in them. The more I do blog, the more I feel like I should put a little more of me in each piece.

There are certainly benefits to being an introvert, although most people may not see it right away. Trying to be an entrepreneur while being an introvert seems like it would be an uphill battle. I have always wanted to be an extrovert. To maybe be the one at the party that everyone’s eyes turn to when you walk in the room, the life of the part type! Command attention wherever you go. It seems if you want to meet people and network, you have to be an extrovert to really be out there, get the great career, and build a great and successful business. You see it for yourself, the people that seem to be the most successful are the extroverted people or are they?

Popular opinion says that being an extrovert is better than being an introvert. For the latter, this would make one feel like they would have to change who they are to get what they desire. That would make an introvert feel like they just can’t win. I used to believe that. I sometimes forced myself to be way more social than I wanted to in order to fit the mold I needed to to get ahead. There are some benefits to it, but it really put off my real progress and it made me everything but happy.

The world may give everything to the extroverted people, but it needs the introverted people just as much. Knowing that as an introvert, you are still important and can achieve just as much should motivate you to keep going, as you are, without trying to be anyone else but you.

You really cannot change the person you are…and this is not a bad thing. You can invest as much time and you want trying to become an extrovert, you will only be able to cover up who you are for so long.  I know for a while that I did. I am naturally a quiet person when I meet someone for the first time. But it is not about being shy or quiet… I just like to observe a person to see if they are someone that I would want or need in my life for any amount of time. I do not think that is a bad thing. It helps me to create boundaries and include people in my life that are going to serve good to my soul.

I am thankful that I did put myself in the position to be an extrovert, a times, because I did have a lot of experiences that may not have ever happened. I managed salons, taught in children’s churches and youth groups. I am a lot more comfortable talking to a crowd and public speaking is a lot easier. I am more confident in my ability to do things..even if I am anxious or afraid. But you know what….I am still no extrovert!! I can play the part for sure, but I am surely not a true one, no way. No matter how many times I reevaluate it, I am just not made that way, and I am okay with that.

I love who I am becoming, and I have to admit that being an introvert is an amazing thing! that’s right, I said it! Maybe when I was younger, I did not believe that, but now, I am sure that the extroverts are not the only ones that can reach great levels of success. Sure, I know that when you have your own business, you have to be able to sell a product or service, lead a team, and be running over with confidence, but I assure you that as an introvert, this can be done by you too! You, too, can connect with others emotionally, work hard, search a person to see what really matters to them. The only failing will be our failure to keep trying and that goes for anyone. I take pride in what I have achieved I also know that the actions that we take, will determine how far(if at all) we move ahead.

Introverts are not always shy people. extroverts are not always loud. Those personalities traits can go with any type. I know myself pretty well and I can tell you that I can be loud, obnoxious (whaaaatt?!!), and command attention when I enter a room. The difference is that my energy is internal opposed to the extrovert that gains energy from external sources. This personality works for me especially while building my business because it can get a little lonely. Being an entrepreneur, you spend time giving an enormous amount of yourself only to get little for a time. An introvert would not be looking for another to feed off of their energy to continue to work on the business and not give up. As an introvert, I work well in a quiet, focused, environment. It helps me to be more creative. I love being round people and enjoying their company but I can only be refreshed and recharged when I get alone and I am able to focus.

It is definitely beneficial to be an extrovert…the world is always searching for more of you to lead. There are good reasons to be the kind of person that can get outside of their comfort zone and let go of your insecurities. For me, that’s great, and I go there on occasion, but when it is all said and done, I have to be who I really am… I have to love me, be comfortable with me..but still look to grow to be a better me, not someone else. You have to make decisions that don’t completely change who you are, but improve on the wonderful person that you see in the mirror. When we do that, I believe that our lives change for the better and we are truly happy.